The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1887-02-03

romances in print.
Baron Stiegel had two magnificent
palaces, and perhaps three. There is
little more known about him in the ira
dltlons and histories of Shaefferstown
than belongs to his tower and to the
sudden visits to it. That tower NAV
have served him all the purposes of an
abode while here. But at Mannheim, ten
miles south of this place, he had built a
beautiful mansion for himself A little
less than forty years ago the house was
occupied by Mr.. John Arndt, and there
Is no doubt butit is the same interesting
relic to-day that it was then. A visit to
this house might then have given very
correct insight into the luxuriant tastes
OF this old man. 1t is very materially
changed, but enough of the decorations
are preserved to satisfy the traveller that
nowhere in the State could be found
their equal. The walls of the various
rooms were adorned with costly designs
in the order of their Importance. Some
had scenery paintings heightened into
most life-like perspectives of nature by
the harmony of colors. Full-sized fig
ures in the art of falconry were repre-
sented of the hunter on his chase and
other such conceptions of baronial tastes
Tablets of china most ingeniously
painted awakened curiosity; and the
jambs in the house were not the least a
study. The side-place of the doors and
the side-pieces of the fre-hearths were
of a most mechanical contrivance.
Though Baron Stiegel had this beau
tiful chateau at Mannheim, he resided in
Philadelphia most of his time. He was
lordly gentleman, and perhaps the
very first citizen of that city to have
the additional luxury of country-seat.
His family stood well in society, and it
is altogether probable that if his tastes
were so extravaganza among the plain
country people, that they would have
had a greater vanity of display in the
proud city. Anyhow, he made frequent
excursions into the country to visit his
country seat. Often he would go to
look after his iron interests, and more
especially to adjust matters in his glass
manufactory at Mannheim, also to ex-
anime into the progress of things on his
farms and lands, but he came most fire.
quently on mere pleasure excursions.
He then was attended by large COM
pany of his particular friends and lit
tie band of expert servants. He trav-
| eled like a prince. Though it was
altogether an ancient outfit, yet his
livery was perfect. His ponderous ve-
hicles were drawn by heavy arch-necked
steeds, and his lackeys ministered to
every want of man and beast. His
coming was always looked forward to
| with joyful anticipations, both at Shaef-
erstown and Mannheim, though it never
was a certain arrangement. His adj
vent was the occasion of a holiday and
of feasting, and none of the employees
were slighted in the festal celebration.
Now the use of these castles or towers
come into play here. There were two
of them-one erected at Shaefierstown,
as already indicated, and another near
Mannheim. They were constructed of
stone out of the mountains and occupied
the loftiest spot of the whole range.
The erection of them was entirely under
the supervision of the Baron himself
and when they had reached their COM
pletion one could see from their lofty
outlook the country around for miles
and miles. The weird-like stony struc-
lures upon those heights gave the quiet
valleys below the apparent aspect oi
feudalism, but ''Thurm-Berg, for its
liberal and eccentric founders sake
was the signal of hilarity and prosperity
to the inland people. Those towers
were mounted with cannon for the ex
press purpose of firing salute when
ever the inflated nabob would make his
appearance in the country. A watch
man would observe his coming, anC
then from the mountain heights there
would thunder the cannon's roar ant
all the inhabitants from near and fal
would startle to their feet and shout
"Baron Stiegel is coming!" They would
rush out to view the pageantry upon thu
highway, and the lordly master woule
invite and welcome all to his tower
At Mannheim this salute created still
greater excitement, for there was hi
palace and his little army of employees
1t was pleasant episode in the ever
rut of their lives, and the little villag'
was as much astir upon that occasion
as it would now be upon the arrival o
the grandest menagerie. When tn
festivities on '.Thurm-Berg" were gon
through with, the equipages wende'
their way southwark for Mannheim
The furnaces were stopped and tn
glass houses were shut up for the on
grand celebration of Stiegers arrival
The workmen washed the SCOT from
their faces, donned their best garment
and took their musical instruments t.
repair to the castle and thence to tn
: mansion. From the kitchen came NJ
the steaming roasts and dishes of poul
try, and from the cellar the fines